This World Cup has seen many epic performances, but has also had its fair share of duds. For every Ballack there was a Lampard, for every Klose a Kuyt
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This wasn't the worst eleven on display, just the most disappointing; a collection of players with big reputations (in some cases deserved, in some cases not so) who did not live up to the hype.
1 ZELKO KALAC (Australia)
Leicester fans will remember this Crouch-a-like, 6ft 7in 'stopper', and will probably agree heartily with his inclusion in this eleven. Mysteriously chosen ahead of Mark Schwarzer for Australia's final group game against Croatia, Kalac put in a calamitous performance, culminating with a gaffe David James would be proud of by somehow scooping Niko Kovac's tame grubber into the net. Probably just as well for Kalac that he was upstaged by Graham Poll's yellow card-counting mishap.
2 CAFU (Brazil)
One of a number of underwhelming Brazilians in the running for this team of shame, Cafu showed in Germany that he should have retired when he said he was going to a couple of years ago. Once a lightning quick winger masquerading as a full-back, Cafu was a shadow of his former self here as Brazil lumbered unconvincingly to the quarter-finals.
3 ROBERTO CARLOS (Brazil)
While Cafu at least looked like he was trying, Roberto Carlos represented an arrogance that Brazil have always had, but one that they can usually back up with a performance. His insistence on taking command of every free-kick - when 99% either hit the wall or threaten nesting pigeons - was beyond infuriating. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho might want to rethink that lucrative contract offer Roberto Carlos is reportedly mulling over.
4 OGUCHI ONYEWU (USA)
In a World Cup blessed by quality central defending, in truth it was tricky to fill these positions - even Brazil's Lucio and Juan performed well. Onyewu 'earns' a starting berth due to his nervy and uncertain showings that led the USA to surrender fairly meekly in the end, despite a creditable showing against Italy. Onyewu was reportedly being tracked by a number of Premiership clubs before the World Cup. Perhaps not any more.
5 SOL CAMPBELL (England)
On the field for just 44 minutes in the whole tournament with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand immovable as the first-choice central-defensive partnership - and it was no coincidence that that was England's shakiest spell of the competition. Looks a shadow of the defensive giant of four years ago.
6 DANIELE DE ROSSI (Italy)
Makes the cut on sheer stupidity value. One of the most promising midfielders in the world, De Rossi had the chance to make a huge impression. Instead, he chose to rearrange Brian McBride's face right in front of the referee, and thus earned a four-game ban. Gennaro Gattuso replaced him, and was been superb in Italy's run to the final. De Rossi was left twiddling his thumbs.
7 RONALDINHO (Brazil)
The biggest disappointment by far. Regarded by most as the finest player in the world, the buck-toothed genius was expected to lead a Brazilian procession to the final, but instead looked lost on the left wing, with barely a powerful dribble or incisive pass to mark him out from the mere mortals sharing the pitch with him.
8 FRANK LAMPARD (England)
Started badly and got steadily worse. Usually commanding and constantly threatening for Chelsea, 'Super Frank' fired in 25 shots over five games, and in truth never looked like scoring with any of them. It's harsh to criticise any player for a penalty shoot-out miss, but would an on form and firing Lampard have offered up such a meek spot-kick?
9 ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC (Sweden)
Was reportedly offered a trial by Arsenal in his youth, but refused, declaring: "I am Zlatan - I do not go on trial." And the Juve striker showed this arrogance and indifference in spades during Sweden's brief campaign. He will surely leave Juventus if they are relegated, but on this showing may struggle to find too many suitors.
10 DIRK KUYT (Holland)
Has been the subject of fevered speculation about a Premiership move over the past two seasons, but the World Cup would have been the first chance for many to get a good look at him. On this evidence he'll be staying at Feyenoord, given his hapless performance in the bloodbath against Portugal, as Ruud Van Nistelrooy gently harrumphed on the sidelines.
11 HARRY KEWELL (Australia)
Included for his body's apparent aversion to the big occasion. Limped out of both Liverpool's Champions League and FA Cup finals, and missed Australia's biggest ever match against Italy with gout, of all things. Looked to be reaching something near his best form last season, but this World Cup could be another step back.
Honourable mentions:
Ronaldo (the fat one) nearly made it, but you can't argue with his goals.
The France side from the group stages would have made a commendable Worst Eleven, but they redeemed themselves in the latter rounds.
Togo were pretty poor, but given their pay disputes and being managed by a man named Pfister, they can be excused.
By Nick Miller
.This wasn't the worst eleven on display, just the most disappointing; a collection of players with big reputations (in some cases deserved, in some cases not so) who did not live up to the hype.
1 ZELKO KALAC (Australia)
Leicester fans will remember this Crouch-a-like, 6ft 7in 'stopper', and will probably agree heartily with his inclusion in this eleven. Mysteriously chosen ahead of Mark Schwarzer for Australia's final group game against Croatia, Kalac put in a calamitous performance, culminating with a gaffe David James would be proud of by somehow scooping Niko Kovac's tame grubber into the net. Probably just as well for Kalac that he was upstaged by Graham Poll's yellow card-counting mishap.
2 CAFU (Brazil)
One of a number of underwhelming Brazilians in the running for this team of shame, Cafu showed in Germany that he should have retired when he said he was going to a couple of years ago. Once a lightning quick winger masquerading as a full-back, Cafu was a shadow of his former self here as Brazil lumbered unconvincingly to the quarter-finals.
3 ROBERTO CARLOS (Brazil)
While Cafu at least looked like he was trying, Roberto Carlos represented an arrogance that Brazil have always had, but one that they can usually back up with a performance. His insistence on taking command of every free-kick - when 99% either hit the wall or threaten nesting pigeons - was beyond infuriating. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho might want to rethink that lucrative contract offer Roberto Carlos is reportedly mulling over.
4 OGUCHI ONYEWU (USA)
In a World Cup blessed by quality central defending, in truth it was tricky to fill these positions - even Brazil's Lucio and Juan performed well. Onyewu 'earns' a starting berth due to his nervy and uncertain showings that led the USA to surrender fairly meekly in the end, despite a creditable showing against Italy. Onyewu was reportedly being tracked by a number of Premiership clubs before the World Cup. Perhaps not any more.
5 SOL CAMPBELL (England)
On the field for just 44 minutes in the whole tournament with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand immovable as the first-choice central-defensive partnership - and it was no coincidence that that was England's shakiest spell of the competition. Looks a shadow of the defensive giant of four years ago.
6 DANIELE DE ROSSI (Italy)
Makes the cut on sheer stupidity value. One of the most promising midfielders in the world, De Rossi had the chance to make a huge impression. Instead, he chose to rearrange Brian McBride's face right in front of the referee, and thus earned a four-game ban. Gennaro Gattuso replaced him, and was been superb in Italy's run to the final. De Rossi was left twiddling his thumbs.
7 RONALDINHO (Brazil)
The biggest disappointment by far. Regarded by most as the finest player in the world, the buck-toothed genius was expected to lead a Brazilian procession to the final, but instead looked lost on the left wing, with barely a powerful dribble or incisive pass to mark him out from the mere mortals sharing the pitch with him.
8 FRANK LAMPARD (England)
Started badly and got steadily worse. Usually commanding and constantly threatening for Chelsea, 'Super Frank' fired in 25 shots over five games, and in truth never looked like scoring with any of them. It's harsh to criticise any player for a penalty shoot-out miss, but would an on form and firing Lampard have offered up such a meek spot-kick?
9 ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC (Sweden)
Was reportedly offered a trial by Arsenal in his youth, but refused, declaring: "I am Zlatan - I do not go on trial." And the Juve striker showed this arrogance and indifference in spades during Sweden's brief campaign. He will surely leave Juventus if they are relegated, but on this showing may struggle to find too many suitors.
10 DIRK KUYT (Holland)
Has been the subject of fevered speculation about a Premiership move over the past two seasons, but the World Cup would have been the first chance for many to get a good look at him. On this evidence he'll be staying at Feyenoord, given his hapless performance in the bloodbath against Portugal, as Ruud Van Nistelrooy gently harrumphed on the sidelines.
11 HARRY KEWELL (Australia)
Included for his body's apparent aversion to the big occasion. Limped out of both Liverpool's Champions League and FA Cup finals, and missed Australia's biggest ever match against Italy with gout, of all things. Looked to be reaching something near his best form last season, but this World Cup could be another step back.
Honourable mentions:
Ronaldo (the fat one) nearly made it, but you can't argue with his goals.
The France side from the group stages would have made a commendable Worst Eleven, but they redeemed themselves in the latter rounds.
Togo were pretty poor, but given their pay disputes and being managed by a man named Pfister, they can be excused.
By Nick Miller
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